Booking conditions

Please read these booking conditions carefully as they form the basis on which bookings are accepted by Park Trek. The contract will be governed by and subject to these booking conditions, and to general information contained in Park Trek brochures, trip letters and the website.

Booking Procedures, Deposits and Final Payments

When you have chosen your itinerary please contact Park Trek to book. Reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking.

For domestic departure, Park Trek requires a non-refundable holding deposit of AUD$250 per person to accompany the booking form.

For international departures, the non-refundable holding deposit varies for different tours. The amount required for a non-refundable deposit is listed on individual international tours.

If you choose to pay the deposit via credit card there is a 2% surcharge transaction fee. This is a charge we pass on from our transaction supplier.

If a booking is made within 60 days of the trips departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. If, for any reason, your final payment fails to reach Park Trek by the due date, Park Trek reserves the right to treat the booking as being cancelled and thus applying the relevant cancellation fees shown below.

Liability

The participant agrees to indemnify Park Trek, and its servant and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which Park Trek, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by Park Trek at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Cancellation Fees and Refunds

In the event that you cancel your booking, the following charges apply.

Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Park Trek, with the following conditions:

Domestic tours

60 days plus prior to trip departure – loss of deposit

59 – 30 days prior to trip departure – 50% of the full price of the tour

29 – 15 days prior to trip departure – 75% of full price of tour

Within 14 days of the trip departure – 100% of the full price of the total price for the trip.All prices are GST inclusive.
No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.

International departuresOverseas Travel:

Cancellation of More than 70 days – Loss of Deposit
Between 69 and 31 days – Loss of 50% of Tour Cost
30 days or less – Loss of 100% of Tour Cost

International departures do not include GST

No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.

Changes to Itineraries

Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary.

In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. Park Trek will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by Park Trek, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices

While Park Trek will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Travel Insurance

In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, Park Trek strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.

Booking Conditions for Wandering the World Tours

At Wandering the World we want your travel choices and plans to be as straight forward as possible.

It is essential to read and understand the conditions of booking, also to ensure you have a full understanding of the day to day itinerary and trip brief, and refer any questions to Wandering the World prior to making your booking.

Payment terms – A deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your place, in the currency stated on the website. The deposit will be in either AUD, USD, or EURO, (and the price will be quoted in either AUD, USD, EURO, GBP or YEN) as quoted by currency and amount. The balance will be due 60 days prior to the trip departure date, or as indicated for specialist groups (90 days). Please note where we have priced the trip in local currency and taking the deposit in Australian dollars, the balance due will calculate the local currency amount at the Westpac International Payment rate of the day and the deposit paid will be deducted from the balance due. Please also note the amount paid must exclude any bank fees to Wandering the World.

If the booking is made within 60 days of the trip departing, full monies is required at the time of booking. All monies are a direct deposit into Wandering the World’s bank account. No credit card payments are accepted, and apologies for any inconvenience.

Cancellation 60 plus days (90 days for specialist groups) from the date of trip departure is automatic loss of deposit.
Cancellation within 60 days of trip departure is loss of full monies 100% of trip price. No refunds will apply should you leave the trip for any reason.

Administration/change fee – Wandering the World reserve the right to pass on administration fees and/or change fees, whenever amendments are made to dates, pre and post accommodation, trip modification, and name changes, at any time from receiving the deposit.

Wandering the World reserves the right to cancel a trip, and/or review the itinerary at any stage prior, or during the trip, for situations not within Wandering the World’s control.

Pre and Post Accommodation is optional, and subject to availability. Please note if you confirm this option of additional pre, and or post accommodation, this is non-refundable, and will be included in the final invoice and calculated at the Westpac International Payment rate of the day. Please also note hotel listings will not be provided until final documentation approximately 30 days from the start of the trip.

Documentation

All necessary documentation will be forwarded via email up to 30 days prior to your Wandering the World trip departing, depending on the destination. Also please note for many of the itineraries, all directions, maps and essential information will be waiting at your joining hotel, on the date your trip is due to start (not at the place, or on the date of your pre-accommodation).

Insurance is compulsory for everyone who travels with Wandering the World. The insurance policy must include cover against personal accident.

Passports and visas are the responsibility of the individual. The applicants MUST ensure their passport carry a 6-month validity beyond the duration of your trip. Wandering the World cannot accept any responsibility if the applicant is refused entry to a country due to incorrect passport, or visa documentation. It is also advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.

Responsibility – Wandering the World travels to a variety of countries, including Asia and parts of the world where standards of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, telecommunications, medical facilities and general infrastructure can vary from place to place. This may be unfamiliar to your usual living arrangements, or differ from a conventional holiday. Please take this into account at the time of booking and understand the levels of personal risk, which the applicant agrees to fully assume.

The applicant understands that during the course of the trip certain events may occur, including, but not limited to, accident or illness in remote places without medical facilities, political instability and the forces of nature. The applicant agrees to assume all risks associated with the journey to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any medical evacuation expenses incurred due to injury or illness will be the responsibility of the participant. Wandering the World reserves the right to refuse an applicant entry onto a tour due to medical or fitness grounds.

The applicant acknowledges that travel with Wandering the World requires a degree of flexibility and understands that the trip’s route, accommodation and modes of transport are subject to change without prior notice due to local circumstances. Should Wandering the World deem it advisable to amend an itinerary for any reason, it may do so by shortening, varying or re-routing any trip. These changes are binding and additional expenses will be charged to the applicant if the reason for any major alteration is outside Wandering the World’s control.

While travelling with Wandering the World the applicant agrees to accept the authority of the leader, or local operator at all times. The applicant is aware that travel within a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and physical abilities of group members. The applicant understands that Wandering the World reserves the right to decline, accept, or retain any person as a member of the group at any time.

The applicant acknowledges that Wandering the World may contract with a network of companies, government agencies and individuals throughout Asia and worldwide to assist in the running of its tours. To the best of Wandering the Worlds knowledge, these third parties are qualified to perform the duties they are contracted to perform. However Wandering the World will not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behaviour of these third parties. Wandering the World will not accept responsibility or liability for any traveller who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited.

No employee, servant or agent of Wandering the World has authority to vary these conditions. This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia.

Government Travel Advice – The applicant acknowledges that by paying the deposit they have given due consideration to relevant Government travel advisories concerning the destination chosen and that it is their responsibility to be acquainted with such information and advice. Also, prior to travel and during your overseas trip, it is critical to understand the up to date Government Travel Advice. Governments publish this advice for countries around the world. Wandering the World highly recommend checking with government authorities regularly prior to travel to ensure up to date information is obtained. The following governing bodies regularly publish information for
travellers:

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

U.S. Department of State

Trip costs are based on ground costs and exchange rates at the time of booking. Whilst we will do our utmost to avoid any price increases Wandering the World reserve the right to amend our prices without notice, at any time up to and including the day of trip departure, in the event of significant exchange rate fluctuations, increases in fuel costs, local flight costs or increases in ground operator service fees. Wandering the World will absorb up to the first AUD50 per person of any overall price increase from its ground operations and exchange rate fluctuations but reserve the right to pass any further increases onto the passenger.

Open Age & Fitness Levels -Wandering the World trips are designed for travellers of all ages assuming you are fit and healthy. Pre-holiday health preparation is advised along with a check-up with your regular doctor. Health advice in relation to vaccinations and any possible anti-malarial medication is also recommended.

The payment of deposit indicates you have read and fully understood the booking conditions. Any concerns at the time of booking must be raised directly with Glenyce Johnson: glenycej@wanderingtheworld.com.au.